From Policy to Practice: Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Ict Integration in Ghanaian Basic Schools

preprint OA: closed
Full text JSON View at publisher
Full text 93,025 characters · extracted from preprint-html · click to expand
From Policy to Practice: Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Ict Integration in Ghanaian Basic Schools | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article From Policy to Practice: Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Ict Integration in Ghanaian Basic Schools Michael Okyere This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-7591080/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This study investigated teachers’ attitudes toward the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in lesson delivery in basic schools in the Central Region of Ghana. Despite increasing global advocacy for ICT in education, the extent to which basic school teachers adopt and use ICT tools remains uneven. A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire administered to 300 teachers selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and the reliability of the instrument was confirmed with Cronbach’s alpha values above 0.90 across all sections. The results revealed that teachers generally held positive attitudes toward ICT integration in teaching and learning, although their responses often reflected moderate neutrality. Further analysis showed that demographic and professional characteristics such as gender, age, teaching experience, and educational qualification did not significantly influence teachers’ attitudes toward ICT use. However, several barriers particularly inadequate infrastructure, limited access to ICT resources, and lack of continuous professional training were consistently identified as challenges to effective ICT integration. The findings underscore the need for ongoing professional development programs, equitable resource distribution, and policy interventions to address contextual challenges faced by teachers. Strengthening ICT capacity in basic schools is critical to enhancing teaching quality and improving learning outcomes in Ghana. Educational Psychology ICT integration teachers’ attitudes basic schools Central Region Ghana quantitative study Introduction The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is widely recognised as a means of enhancing teaching, learning, and access to knowledge in the 21st century. Global initiatives, such as those promoted by UNESCO, underscore ICT as a tool for improving equity and preparing learners for digital economies. In Sub-Saharan Africa, however, ICT adoption remains uneven due to infrastructure deficits, inadequate training, and systemic challenges (Constancio, 2024; Mukuni, 2019). In Ghana, ICT has been prioritised in educational reform. The Ministry of Education’s ICT in (Ministry of Education, 2015) provides a framework for embedding ICT into pedagogy, strengthening teachers’ competencies, and ensuring equitable access. National initiatives, including the establishment of computer laboratories, provision of ICT resources through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), and teacher training workshops, highlight the state’s commitment to technology integration (Adarkwah, 2021). At the basic school level, ICT has been incorporated into the curriculum to promote early digital literacy. Nonetheless, effective ICT use in classrooms remains inconsistent. Teachers acknowledge ICT’s benefits, yet adoption is constrained by infrastructural challenges, unreliable electricity, and limited professional development opportunities, particularly in rural schools (Arkorful et al., 2021; Buabeng-Andoh, 2012). Since teachers’ attitudes strongly influence whether ICT resources are adopted, their perceptions are critical to the success of integration efforts (Gyamfi, 2017). This study therefore investigates the attitudes of basic school teachers in Ghana’s Central Region toward ICT integration in lesson delivery. It further examines how demographic and professional characteristics influence these attitudes, and explores the barriers teachers face in utilising ICT. Background Globally, the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into education is viewed as a catalyst for improving teaching quality, expanding access to knowledge, and equipping learners with the digital skills required for the 21st century (UNESCO, 2015 ). In Sub-Saharan Africa, many governments have adopted ICT-in-education policies, but implementation has often been constrained by infrastructural, financial, and capacity-related challenges (Constancio, 2024 ; Mukuni, 2019 ). In Ghana, ICT has been placed at the centre of educational reform. The Ministry of Education’s ICT in Education Policy (Ministry of Education, 2015) outlines strategies to integrate ICT into pedagogy, enhance teacher competencies, and ensure equitable student access. Interventions such as the distribution of ICT equipment through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), the establishment of computer laboratories, and teacher training workshops demonstrate strong policy commitment (Adarkwah, 2021 ). At the basic school level, ICT is a compulsory subject intended to foster digital literacy from an early stage. Despite these initiatives, ICT integration in Ghanaian classrooms remains uneven. Teachers generally acknowledge ICT’s pedagogical benefits, but actual usage is limited by barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity, and insufficient professional development (Arkorful et al., 2021 ; Buabeng-Andoh, 2012 ). These constraints are especially pronounced in rural and peri-urban schools, where disparities in resources and training opportunities create unequal conditions for ICT adoption (Effah et al., 2023 ; Natia & Al-hassan, 2015 ). The Central Region provides a useful lens for examining these dynamics. As one of Ghana’s educational hubs, the region hosts several Colleges of Education and a diverse mix of urban, peri-urban, and rural basic schools. However, access to ICT infrastructure and training opportunities varies widely across districts. Urban schools are relatively better resourced, while rural schools often struggle with persistent infrastructural deficits. Such disparities raise questions about how teachers’ attitudes toward ICT are shaped in different contexts within the same region. Since teachers’ attitudes strongly influence their willingness to integrate technology into lesson delivery, investigating these perspectives is critical. Positive attitudes are associated with creativity, adoption, and enhanced learner engagement (Gyamfi, 2017 ), whereas negative attitudes or low confidence can limit ICT use even when resources are available. This study therefore situates itself within the Central Region of Ghana to examine teachers’ attitudes, the demographic and professional factors that influence them, and the barriers that continue to affect effective ICT integration in basic schools. Literature Review Attitudes of Basic School Teachers Toward ICT Integration Research consistently shows that teachers in Ghana and across Sub-Saharan Africa generally hold positive perceptions of ICT as a tool for enhancing teaching and learning. (Buabeng-Andoh, 2012 ) reported that teachers recognised ICT’s usefulness in lesson preparation and learner motivation. Similarly, (Gyamfi, 2017 ) found that pre-service teachers expressed favourable attitudes toward ICT use, particularly for its role in improving teaching outcomes. However, several studies have highlighted a gap between attitudes and classroom practice. (Arkorful et al., 2021 ) observed that although teachers valued ICT, integration was often limited to administrative support or basic presentation rather than interactive pedagogy. (Adarkwah, 2021 ) further noted that while teachers endorse ICT in principle, infrastructural and curricular constraints reduce enthusiasm for its consistent use. These findings suggest that attitudes are broadly positive but may not always translate into meaningful adoption in classroom delivery. Influence of Demographic and Professional Characteristics Teachers’ demographic and professional characteristics are widely examined as determinants of ICT adoption. Training emerges as the strongest predictor, with studies showing that teachers who undergo ICT-focused professional development express greater confidence and more positive attitudes toward integration (Buabeng-Andoh, 2012 ; Gyamfi, 2017 ). Findings on age and teaching experience are less consistent. Some research suggests younger teachers are more confident in ICT use, but other studies indicate that with adequate training, age-related differences diminish significantly. Gender effects are similarly mixed: while minor disparities in ICT confidence have been observed, they tend to disappear once access and training are controlled for. Contextual factors such as school location also play a role, with urban teachers more likely to integrate ICT due to better access to infrastructure and clearer curricular alignment (Arkorful et al., 2021 ). Barriers to ICT Integration in Lesson Delivery Despite policy initiatives, barriers remain central to the ICT integration discourse. Infrastructural challenges including inadequate hardware, unreliable electricity, and poor internet connectivity are frequently cited as major constraints (Arkorful et al., 2021 ; Buabeng-Andoh, 2012 ). Teacher training is another critical issue: (Gyamfi, 2017 ) emphasises that short workshops are insufficient, advocating instead for sustained professional development embedded in teachers’ practice. Leadership support and access to technical assistance also influence ICT use, with schools that provide encouragement and resources demonstrating higher levels of integration. Curriculum pressures further complicate adoption, as many teachers perceive ICT as an added burden within an already dense syllabus (Adarkwah, 2021 ). In rural districts of Ghana, these challenges are particularly acute, limiting teachers’ ability to move from positive attitudes to consistent practice (Effah et al., 2023 ; Natia & Al-hassan, 2015 ). Synthesis Overall, the literature shows that while teachers generally value ICT, integration in Ghana remains constrained by structural and contextual barriers. Training and competence are key determinants of positive attitudes, but infrastructural challenges, leadership support, and curriculum alignment significantly mediate actual usage. Existing studies have focused heavily on pre-service or senior high school teachers, leaving limited evidence on basic school teachers in regional contexts. This gap underscores the importance of examining ICT integration in Ghana’s Central Region, where disparities between urban and rural schools may shape teacher attitudes and practices in distinctive ways. Methodology Research Design This study adopted a quantitative descriptive survey design to investigate teachers’ attitudes toward the integration of ICT in lesson delivery in basic schools in Ghana’s Central Region. The design was appropriate because it enabled the collection of standardized data from a large number of respondents, allowing for statistical analysis of patterns in attitudes, demographic influences, and perceived barriers. Surveys are particularly useful in studies of attitudes and practices, as they facilitate the examination of relationships among variables across diverse teacher populations (Creswell & Poth, 2018 ). Population and Sampling The target population comprised all public basic school teachers in the Central Region of Ghana. According to the Ghana Education Service (Service, 2022 ; Torgbe, 2023 ), the region has over 20,000 teachers distributed across urban, peri-urban, and rural districts. A multistage sampling strategy was used, Stratified sampling ensured proportional representation of teachers from urban and rural districts and Simple random sampling was employed within selected schools to identify teacher participants. The sample size was determined using (Krejcie & Morgan, 1970 ) sample size table, which recommends 377 respondents for a population of 20,000. To mitigate the impact of potential non-response, the target sample was increased to 400 teachers. Ultimately, 300 valid responses were obtained and analysed, representing a 75% response rate. Research Instrument Data were collected using a structured questionnaire comprising four sections: Section A: Demographic Information – age, gender, teaching experience, qualification, subject taught, school location (urban/rural), and ICT training background. Section B: Teachers’ Attitudes Toward ICT – 13 Likert-scale items adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989), assessing perceived usefulness, ease of use, and behavioural intentions. Section C: ICT Integration Practices – 17 items measuring the frequency and types of ICT tools used in lesson preparation and delivery (e.g., presentation software, online resources, digital applications). Section D: Barriers to ICT Integration – 20 items capturing infrastructural, professional, and systemic challenges such as lack of devices, unreliable electricity, workload pressures, and inadequate training. Items were rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ( Strongly Disagree ) to 5 ( Strongly Agree ). Validity and Reliability The questionnaire was reviewed by experts in educational technology to establish content validity and piloted with a group of 30 teachers outside the study sample. Minor revisions to item wording and structure were informed by feedback. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach’s alpha, with coefficients ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 across the three main sections exceeding the threshold for excellent reliability as defined by (Nunnally, 1978 ). Data Collection Procedure Permission to conduct the study was obtained from the Ghana Education Service (GES) and relevant district education offices. With the cooperation of headteachers, questionnaires were distributed to teachers during school hours. Participation was voluntary, informed consent was obtained, and confidentiality was assured. Completed questionnaires were collected on-site to maximize the response rate. Data Analysis Data were coded and analysed using SPSS (version 25) . The following statistical techniques were applied: Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations) to summarise teachers’ attitudes, demographic characteristics, and perceived barriers, Multiple regression analysis to determine the influence of demographic and professional characteristics on teachers’ attitudes (Research Question 2) and One-way ANOVA to test differences in perceived barriers across groups with different years of teaching experience (Research Question 3). Results were presented in tables and figures for clarity, with significance levels set at p < 0.05 . Results This section presents findings from the analysis of data collected from 300 basic school teachers in the Central Region of Ghana. Results are organised around the three research questions guiding the study. Research Question 1: What are the attitudes of basic school teachers in the Central Region of Ghana toward the integration of ICT in lesson delivery? Table 1 summarises teachers’ responses to the attitude items. Table 1 Teachers’ Attitudes Toward ICT Integration (N = 300) Item SD D N A SA ICT makes lesson delivery more interesting. – 21 (7.0%) 148 (49.3%) 125 (41.7%) 6 (2.0%) I feel confident using ICT tools in teaching. – 22 (7.3%) 151 (50.3%) 119 (39.7%) 8 (2.7%) ICT improves students’ understanding of concepts. – 24 (8.0%) 156 (52.0%) 110 (36.7%) 10 (3.3%) I enjoy using ICT in my lessons. – 23 (7.7%) 144 (48.0%) 128 (42.7%) 5 (1.7%) ICT makes my work as a teacher easier. 1 (0.3%) 17 (5.7%) 150 (50.0%) 122 (40.7%) 10 (3.3%) Students are more engaged when ICT is used. – 24 (8.0%) 143 (47.7%) 121 (40.3%) 12 (4.0%) My overall attitude toward ICT in education is positive. – 16 (5.3%) 155 (51.7%) 115 (38.3%) 14 (4.7%) Interpretation Overall, teachers expressed favourable attitudes toward ICT integration. Between 40–45% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with most items, while only 5–8% disagreed. However, neutrality dominated across many items, suggesting a degree of uncertainty or limited confidence in ICT use. For instance, while 43% agreed that ICT improved their effectiveness, 50% remained neutral. This indicates that although teachers recognise ICT’s potential, practical experiences of its benefits are inconsistent. Research Question 2: To what extent do teachers’ demographic and professional characteristics (e.g., age, sex, teaching experience, ICT training) influence their attitudes toward ICT integration? Table 2 Regression Model Summary Model R R² Adjusted R² Std. Error 1 .072 .005 –.005 6.15461 Table 3 Regression ANOVA Source SS df MS F Sig. Regression 57.844 3 19.281 0.509 .676 Residual 11,212.236 296 37.879 Total 11,270.080 299 Table 4 Regression Coefficients Predictor B Std. Error Beta t Sig. Constant 43.946 1.502 — 29.256 .000*** Age 0.344 0.390 0.051 0.883 .378 Highest Qualification –0.336 0.418 –0.047 –0.803 .423 Teaching Experience 0.032 0.361 0.005 0.088 .930 Interpretation The regression analysis indicated that teachers’ demographic factors (age, qualification, experience) did not significantly predict their attitudes toward ICT integration (p > .05). The model explained only 0.5% of the variance. This suggests that attitudes are shaped more by contextual and institutional factors than by personal demographics. Research Question 3: Is there a difference in perceived ICT integration barriers among teachers with different years of teaching experience? Table 5 One-Way ANOVA Source SS df MS F Sig. Between Groups 225.359 3 75.120 0.996 .395 Within Groups 22,318.307 296 75.400 Total 22,543.667 299 Interpretation The ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in perceived ICT barriers across teaching experience groups (F(3,296) = 0.996, p = .395). The means plot (Figure X) confirmed that barrier scores were relatively similar across groups, suggesting that infrastructural and systemic challenges are experienced uniformly , regardless of teaching experience. Discussion This study examined teachers’ attitudes toward ICT integration in lesson delivery in basic schools within Ghana’s Central Region, with attention to demographic influences and perceived barriers. The findings provide useful insights into both the promise and the challenges of ICT integration at the basic school level. Teachers’ Attitudes Toward ICT Integration The results revealed generally favourable attitudes among teachers, with most respondents agreeing that ICT improves lesson delivery, enhances student engagement, and makes teaching more efficient. These findings are consistent with earlier studies by (Buabeng-Andoh, 2012 ) and (Gyamfi, 2017 ), who observed similarly positive perceptions among Ghanaian teachers. However, the high proportion of neutral responses in the present study suggests a level of uncertainty, reflecting limited opportunities for consistent ICT use in actual classroom practice. This echoes (Arkorful et al., 2021 ), who noted that positive perceptions do not always translate into active integration, often due to contextual barriers. Demographic and Professional Influences Contrary to expectations, demographic variables such as age, qualification, and teaching experience did not significantly predict teachers’ attitudes. This aligns with findings from (Gyamfi, 2017 ), who argued that with adequate training, demographic differences lose their explanatory power in ICT adoption. The results also support (Adarkwah, 2021 ) assertion that systemic and institutional factors play a greater role than individual teacher characteristics in shaping ICT practices. Thus, while demographic diversity exists among teachers, attitudes toward ICT integration appear to be largely uniform across groups. Barriers to ICT Integration Perceived barriers were reported consistently across all teaching experience groups, with no significant differences detected. This suggests that challenges such as limited infrastructure, unreliable electricity, insufficient training, and curriculum pressures are experienced broadly, irrespective of years of service. These findings reinforce earlier studies by (Natia and Al-hassan, 2015 ) and (Effah et al. 2023 ), who observed that infrastructural constraints cut across school contexts in Ghana. The uniformity of these barriers highlights the systemic nature of the challenges, underscoring the need for structural reforms rather than teacher-specific interventions. Implications Taken together, the results suggest that positive attitudes among teachers are not enough to guarantee successful ICT integration. While teachers are willing to embrace technology, their ability to do so effectively is curtailed by structural and institutional limitations. These findings support (UNESCO, 2015 ) broader argument that ICT in education requires not only teacher readiness but also enabling conditions such as infrastructure, leadership, and policy support. In the Central Region, where disparities between urban and rural schools are evident, addressing systemic barriers is particularly critical to ensure equitable ICT adoption across contexts. Conclusion This study investigated teachers’ attitudes toward ICT integration in lesson delivery in basic schools in Ghana’s Central Region. The findings revealed that teachers generally hold favourable attitudes toward ICT, recognising its potential to make lessons more engaging, improve student understanding, and enhance teaching efficiency. However, many teachers reported neutral positions on specific items, suggesting that positive perceptions are not always matched by practical application in the classroom. The study further established that demographic and professional characteristics such as age, qualification, and teaching experience did not significantly influence teachers’ attitudes. This indicates that willingness to integrate ICT is broadly shared across teacher groups, reinforcing the argument that contextual and systemic conditions, rather than personal attributes, are the primary determinants of ICT use. Finally, perceived barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, limited professional development, and curriculum constraints were experienced uniformly across teachers, regardless of teaching experience. These systemic challenges continue to limit the extent to which ICT can be meaningfully integrated into lesson delivery. In conclusion, while teachers in the Central Region are open and positive toward ICT adoption, the success of integration efforts depends largely on addressing structural barriers. For ICT to become a transformative tool in basic education, investment in infrastructure, consistent teacher training, and stronger institutional support are essential. Recommendations Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are proposed for policymakers, educational authorities, and school leaders to enhance the integration of ICT in basic schools in the Central Region of Ghana: Strengthen ICT Infrastructure The government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES), should prioritise the provision of reliable ICT infrastructure, including functional computer laboratories, internet access, and stable electricity supply, particularly in rural and peri-urban schools where deficits are greatest. Expand Continuous Professional Development Teacher training in ICT should move beyond short-term workshops to sustained, practice-oriented professional development. Colleges of Education and district training centres should provide regular in-service training focused on pedagogical, rather than purely technical, applications of ICT. Embed ICT into Curriculum Delivery Curriculum planners should integrate ICT use into subject-specific teaching strategies rather than treating it as an additional or stand-alone subject. This would help teachers view ICT as a core teaching tool rather than an extra burden. Enhance Technical and Administrative Support Schools should establish ICT support systems, such as assigning ICT coordinators or technicians, to assist teachers with troubleshooting and integration challenges. Leadership at the school level should also encourage and incentivise ICT use in classrooms. Address Equity Gaps Efforts should be made to reduce the disparity between urban and rural schools. Targeted interventions, such as prioritising rural schools in ICT resource allocation and infrastructure projects, are necessary to promote equity in access and usage. Monitor and Evaluate ICT Integration The GES should institute mechanisms for monitoring ICT integration in schools, including regular assessments of teachers’ usage patterns, attitudes, and needs. Such evaluations will help inform ongoing policy and resource adjustments. Abbreviations ANOVA Analysis of Variance GES Ghana Education Service GIFEC Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications ICT Information and Communication Technology SPSS Statistical Package for the Social Sciences UNESCO United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization References Adarkwah M (2021) I’m not against online teaching, but what about us? ICT in Ghana post-COVID-19. Educ Inform Technol 26:1665–1685. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10320-z Arkorful V, Barfi KA, Aboagye IK (2021) Integration of Information and Communication Technology in Teaching: Initial Perspectives of Senior High School Teachers in Ghana. Educ Inform Technol 26:3771–3787. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10426-7 Buabeng-Andoh C (2012) Factors Influencing Teachers’ Adoption and Integration of Information and Communication Technology into Teaching: A Review of the Literature. Int J Educ Dev Using Inform Communication Technol 8(1):136–155 Constancio F (2024) The digital divide research in sub-Saharan education: Representations, localisation of elements, and theoretical implications. Policy Futures Educ. https://doi.org/10.1177/14782103241282373 Creswell JW, Poth CN (2018) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th edn. Sage Effah P, Ofosu-Asare Y, Agyemang K (2023) Developing Classroom ICT Teaching Techniques for Teachers in Rural Ghana Without Access to Computers or Internet: A Framework Based on Literature Review. Campus-Wide Inform Syst 41(3):262–279. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJILT-04-2023-0045 Gyamfi SA (2017) Pre-service teachers’ attitude towards information and communication technology usage: A Ghanaian survey. Int J Educ Dev Using Inform Communication Technol 13(1):69–85 Krejcie RV, Morgan DW (1970) Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educ Psychol Meas 30(3):607–610. https://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308 Ministry of Education, G (2015) ICT in Education Policy . https://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/sites/planipolis/files/ressources/ghana_ict_in_education_policy_august_2015.pdf Mukuni J (2019) Challenges of educational digital infrastructure in Africa: A tale of hope and disillusionment. J Afr Stud Dev 11(5):59–63. https://doi.org/10.5897/JASD2019.0539 Natia JA, Al-hassan S (2015) Promoting Teaching and Learning in Ghanaian Basic Schools through ICT. Int J Educ Dev Using Inform Communication Technol 11(2):113–125 Nunnally JC (1978) Psychometric Theory, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill Service GE (2022) Ghana Education Sector Report . https://www.gipc.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ghanas-Education-Sector-Report.pdf Torgbe V (2023) Examining the influence of teacher distribution, infrastructure development, and government funding on student educational attainment in rural Ghana. World J Adv Res Reviews 20(2):1531–1543. https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.20.2.2258 UNESCO (2015) ICT in Education: A Critical Enabler for Sustainable Development . https://www.unesco.org/en/digital-competencies-skills/ict-cft Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-7591080","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":513605508,"identity":"d3dfb0a6-709a-49c6-a636-0ab3c85eaeba","order_by":0,"name":"Michael Okyere","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAABDUlEQVRIie2RsUoDQRCGRxY2zci1ewjJK6wcHEh8mD0EbVQEmytiXElhE0ir4ENYXeuEgdgE64CNcq3FSUCwEScqFsJK0onsB9MsfMz/zwJEIn+QpDV64Nc3g1op+n41Mi6kpMPpGoPebict7YCWUexsX4mym6UjtMspqT8gPkIurhnn8wa4bUmN7xFODoNd4M7xhVko65Uh4MyS3uki3B4Ht5x5S2g/FQnGRUWYbyBMCh/qwiCK+whWN6KcVpS8/K5MZAWS1B8gLIK5nFCL0gsq6VC78aWXIyudm6nd27xhnW1dWQoqSafm5tnLVyZcN2XZ7aTng8fZU9kPKj9zyqivjivTX12JRCKR/8o7O5lgS7UbFpUAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2856-5388","institution":"University of Education, Winneba","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Michael","middleName":"","lastName":"Okyere","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-09-11 10:55:46","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":false,"vertebrateSubjects":true,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false,"humanSubjectConsent":false,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":true},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7591080/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7591080/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":91164296,"identity":"6d6b9d06-c4c4-4567-a33d-2a387c7a914e","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-09-12 10:03:04","extension":"pdf","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":1015049,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"manuscript.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-7591080/v1/132baea9-b75c-4d7c-af1c-ce9233697e1d.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"The authors declare no competing interests.","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFrom Policy to Practice: Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Ict Integration in Ghanaian Basic Schools\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[{"header":"Introduction","content":"\u003cp\u003eThe integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in education is widely recognised as a means of enhancing teaching, learning, and access to knowledge in the 21st century. Global initiatives, such as those promoted by UNESCO, underscore ICT as a tool for improving equity and preparing learners for digital economies. In Sub-Saharan Africa, however, ICT adoption remains uneven due to infrastructure deficits, inadequate training, and systemic challenges (Constancio, 2024; Mukuni, 2019).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Ghana, ICT has been prioritised in educational reform. The Ministry of Education\u0026rsquo;s ICT in (Ministry of Education, 2015) provides a framework for embedding ICT into pedagogy, strengthening teachers\u0026rsquo; competencies, and ensuring equitable access. National initiatives, including the establishment of computer laboratories, provision of ICT resources through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), and teacher training workshops, highlight the state\u0026rsquo;s commitment to technology integration (Adarkwah, 2021). At the basic school level, ICT has been incorporated into the curriculum to promote early digital literacy.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNonetheless, effective ICT use in classrooms remains inconsistent. Teachers acknowledge ICT\u0026rsquo;s benefits, yet adoption is constrained by infrastructural challenges, unreliable electricity, and limited professional development opportunities, particularly in rural schools (Arkorful et al., 2021; Buabeng-Andoh, 2012). Since teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes strongly influence whether ICT resources are adopted, their perceptions are critical to the success of integration efforts (Gyamfi, 2017).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis study therefore investigates the attitudes of basic school teachers in Ghana\u0026rsquo;s Central Region toward ICT integration in lesson delivery. It further examines how demographic and professional characteristics influence these attitudes, and explores the barriers teachers face in utilising ICT.\u003c/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBackground\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGlobally, the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into education is viewed as a catalyst for improving teaching quality, expanding access to knowledge, and equipping learners with the digital skills required for the 21st century (UNESCO, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e). In Sub-Saharan Africa, many governments have adopted ICT-in-education policies, but implementation has often been constrained by infrastructural, financial, and capacity-related challenges (Constancio, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR4\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2024\u003c/span\u003e; Mukuni, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR10\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2019\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Ghana, ICT has been placed at the centre of educational reform. The Ministry of Education\u0026rsquo;s ICT in Education Policy (Ministry of Education, 2015) outlines strategies to integrate ICT into pedagogy, enhance teacher competencies, and ensure equitable student access. Interventions such as the distribution of ICT equipment through the Ghana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications (GIFEC), the establishment of computer laboratories, and teacher training workshops demonstrate strong policy commitment (Adarkwah, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). At the basic school level, ICT is a compulsory subject intended to foster digital literacy from an early stage.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDespite these initiatives, ICT integration in Ghanaian classrooms remains uneven. Teachers generally acknowledge ICT\u0026rsquo;s pedagogical benefits, but actual usage is limited by barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, poor internet connectivity, and insufficient professional development (Arkorful et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Buabeng-Andoh, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). These constraints are especially pronounced in rural and peri-urban schools, where disparities in resources and training opportunities create unequal conditions for ICT adoption (Effah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Natia \u0026amp; Al-hassan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Central Region provides a useful lens for examining these dynamics. As one of Ghana\u0026rsquo;s educational hubs, the region hosts several Colleges of Education and a diverse mix of urban, peri-urban, and rural basic schools. However, access to ICT infrastructure and training opportunities varies widely across districts. Urban schools are relatively better resourced, while rural schools often struggle with persistent infrastructural deficits. Such disparities raise questions about how teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes toward ICT are shaped in different contexts within the same region.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes strongly influence their willingness to integrate technology into lesson delivery, investigating these perspectives is critical. Positive attitudes are associated with creativity, adoption, and enhanced learner engagement (Gyamfi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), whereas negative attitudes or low confidence can limit ICT use even when resources are available. This study therefore situates itself within the Central Region of Ghana to examine teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes, the demographic and professional factors that influence them, and the barriers that continue to affect effective ICT integration in basic schools.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eLiterature Review\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"Sec3\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAttitudes of Basic School Teachers Toward ICT Integration\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eResearch consistently shows that teachers in Ghana and across Sub-Saharan Africa generally hold positive perceptions of ICT as a tool for enhancing teaching and learning. (Buabeng-Andoh, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) reported that teachers recognised ICT\u0026rsquo;s usefulness in lesson preparation and learner motivation. Similarly, (Gyamfi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e) found that pre-service teachers expressed favourable attitudes toward ICT use, particularly for its role in improving teaching outcomes. However, several studies have highlighted a gap between attitudes and classroom practice. (Arkorful et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) observed that although teachers valued ICT, integration was often limited to administrative support or basic presentation rather than interactive pedagogy. (Adarkwah, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) further noted that while teachers endorse ICT in principle, infrastructural and curricular constraints reduce enthusiasm for its consistent use. These findings suggest that attitudes are broadly positive but may not always translate into meaningful adoption in classroom delivery.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eInfluence of Demographic and Professional Characteristics\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTeachers\u0026rsquo; demographic and professional characteristics are widely examined as determinants of ICT adoption. Training emerges as the strongest predictor, with studies showing that teachers who undergo ICT-focused professional development express greater confidence and more positive attitudes toward integration (Buabeng-Andoh, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e; Gyamfi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e). Findings on age and teaching experience are less consistent. Some research suggests younger teachers are more confident in ICT use, but other studies indicate that with adequate training, age-related differences diminish significantly. Gender effects are similarly mixed: while minor disparities in ICT confidence have been observed, they tend to disappear once access and training are controlled for. Contextual factors such as school location also play a role, with urban teachers more likely to integrate ICT due to better access to infrastructure and clearer curricular alignment (Arkorful et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eBarriers to ICT Integration in Lesson Delivery\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite policy initiatives, barriers remain central to the ICT integration discourse. Infrastructural challenges including inadequate hardware, unreliable electricity, and poor internet connectivity are frequently cited as major constraints (Arkorful et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e; Buabeng-Andoh, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e). Teacher training is another critical issue: (Gyamfi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e) emphasises that short workshops are insufficient, advocating instead for sustained professional development embedded in teachers\u0026rsquo; practice. Leadership support and access to technical assistance also influence ICT use, with schools that provide encouragement and resources demonstrating higher levels of integration. Curriculum pressures further complicate adoption, as many teachers perceive ICT as an added burden within an already dense syllabus (Adarkwah, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e). In rural districts of Ghana, these challenges are particularly acute, limiting teachers\u0026rsquo; ability to move from positive attitudes to consistent practice (Effah et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e; Natia \u0026amp; Al-hassan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSynthesis\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall, the literature shows that while teachers generally value ICT, integration in Ghana remains constrained by structural and contextual barriers. Training and competence are key determinants of positive attitudes, but infrastructural challenges, leadership support, and curriculum alignment significantly mediate actual usage. Existing studies have focused heavily on pre-service or senior high school teachers, leaving limited evidence on basic school teachers in regional contexts. This gap underscores the importance of examining ICT integration in Ghana\u0026rsquo;s Central Region, where disparities between urban and rural schools may shape teacher attitudes and practices in distinctive ways.\u003c/p\u003e"},{"header":"Methodology","content":"\u003cdiv id=\"Sec8\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResearch Design\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis study adopted a \u003cb\u003equantitative descriptive survey design\u003c/b\u003e to investigate teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes toward the integration of ICT in lesson delivery in basic schools in Ghana\u0026rsquo;s Central Region. The design was appropriate because it enabled the collection of standardized data from a large number of respondents, allowing for statistical analysis of patterns in attitudes, demographic influences, and perceived barriers. Surveys are particularly useful in studies of attitudes and practices, as they facilitate the examination of relationships among variables across diverse teacher populations (Creswell \u0026amp; Poth, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR5\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2018\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePopulation and Sampling\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe target population comprised all public basic school teachers in the Central Region of Ghana. According to the Ghana Education Service (Service, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR13\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2022\u003c/span\u003e; Torgbe, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR14\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), the region has over 20,000 teachers distributed across urban, peri-urban, and rural districts.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA \u003cb\u003emultistage sampling strategy\u003c/b\u003e was used, \u003cb\u003eStratified sampling\u003c/b\u003e ensured proportional representation of teachers from urban and rural districts and \u003cb\u003eSimple random sampling\u003c/b\u003e was employed within selected schools to identify teacher participants.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sample size was determined using (Krejcie \u0026amp; Morgan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR8\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1970\u003c/span\u003e) sample size table, which recommends 377 respondents for a population of 20,000. To mitigate the impact of potential non-response, the target sample was increased to 400 teachers. Ultimately, \u003cb\u003e300 valid responses\u003c/b\u003e were obtained and analysed, representing a 75% response rate.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eResearch Instrument\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eData were collected using a \u003cb\u003estructured questionnaire\u003c/b\u003e comprising four sections:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSection A: Demographic Information\u003c/b\u003e \u0026ndash; age, gender, teaching experience, qualification, subject taught, school location (urban/rural), and ICT training background. \u003cb\u003eSection B: Teachers\u0026rsquo; Attitudes Toward ICT\u003c/b\u003e \u0026ndash; 13 Likert-scale items adapted from the Technology Acceptance Model (Davis, 1989), assessing perceived usefulness, ease of use, and behavioural intentions. \u003cb\u003eSection C: ICT Integration Practices\u003c/b\u003e \u0026ndash; 17 items measuring the frequency and types of ICT tools used in lesson preparation and delivery (e.g., presentation software, online resources, digital applications). \u003cb\u003eSection D: Barriers to ICT Integration\u003c/b\u003e \u0026ndash; 20 items capturing infrastructural, professional, and systemic challenges such as lack of devices, unreliable electricity, workload pressures, and inadequate training.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eItems were rated on a five-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (\u003cb\u003eStrongly Disagree\u003c/b\u003e) to 5 (\u003cb\u003eStrongly Agree\u003c/b\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec11\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eValidity and Reliability\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe questionnaire was reviewed by experts in educational technology to establish \u003cb\u003econtent validity\u003c/b\u003e and piloted with a group of 30 teachers outside the study sample. Minor revisions to item wording and structure were informed by feedback. Internal consistency reliability was assessed using Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha, with coefficients ranging from 0.90 to 0.95 across the three main sections exceeding the threshold for excellent reliability as defined by (Nunnally, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR12\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e1978\u003c/span\u003e).\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec12\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Collection Procedure\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePermission to conduct the study was obtained from the Ghana Education Service (GES) and relevant district education offices. With the cooperation of headteachers, questionnaires were distributed to teachers during school hours. Participation was voluntary, informed consent was obtained, and confidentiality was assured. Completed questionnaires were collected on-site to maximize the response rate.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec13\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eData Analysis\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eData were coded and analysed using \u003cb\u003eSPSS (version 25)\u003c/b\u003e. The following statistical techniques were applied: \u003cb\u003eDescriptive statistics\u003c/b\u003e (frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations) to summarise teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes, demographic characteristics, and perceived barriers, \u003cb\u003eMultiple regression analysis\u003c/b\u003e to determine the influence of demographic and professional characteristics on teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes (Research Question 2) and \u003cb\u003eOne-way ANOVA\u003c/b\u003e to test differences in perceived barriers across groups with different years of teaching experience (Research Question 3). Results were presented in tables and figures for clarity, with significance levels set at \u003cb\u003ep\u0026thinsp;\u0026lt;\u0026thinsp;0.05\u003c/b\u003e.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Results","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis section presents findings from the analysis of data collected from 300 basic school teachers in the Central Region of Ghana. Results are organised around the three research questions guiding the study.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec15\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResearch Question 1:\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhat are the attitudes of basic school teachers in the Central Region of Ghana toward the integration of ICT in lesson delivery?\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTable\u0026nbsp;\u003cspan refid=\"Tab1\" class=\"InternalRef\"\u003e1\u003c/span\u003e summarises teachers\u0026rsquo; responses to the attitude items.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab1\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 1\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTeachers\u0026rsquo; Attitudes Toward ICT Integration (N\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;300)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eItem\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eD\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eN\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eICT makes lesson delivery more interesting.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e21 (7.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e148 (49.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e125 (41.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6 (2.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eI feel confident using ICT tools in teaching.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22 (7.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e151 (50.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e119 (39.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e8 (2.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eICT improves students\u0026rsquo; understanding of concepts.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24 (8.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e156 (52.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e110 (36.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (3.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eI enjoy using ICT in my lessons.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e23 (7.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e144 (48.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e128 (42.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e5 (1.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eICT makes my work as a teacher easier.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1 (0.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e17 (5.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e150 (50.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e122 (40.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e10 (3.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStudents are more engaged when ICT is used.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e24 (8.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e143 (47.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e121 (40.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e12 (4.0%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMy overall attitude toward ICT in education is positive.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e16 (5.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e155 (51.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e115 (38.3%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e14 (4.7%)\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec16\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eInterpretation\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOverall, teachers expressed \u003cb\u003efavourable attitudes\u003c/b\u003e toward ICT integration. Between 40\u0026ndash;45% of respondents agreed or strongly agreed with most items, while only 5\u0026ndash;8% disagreed. However, neutrality dominated across many items, suggesting a degree of uncertainty or limited confidence in ICT use. For instance, while 43% agreed that ICT improved their effectiveness, 50% remained neutral. This indicates that although teachers recognise ICT\u0026rsquo;s potential, practical experiences of its benefits are inconsistent.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eResearch Question 2:\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTo what extent do teachers\u0026rsquo; demographic and professional characteristics (e.g., age, sex, teaching experience, ICT training) influence their attitudes toward ICT integration?\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab2\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 2\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegression Model Summary\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"5\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eModel\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eR\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eR\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAdjusted R\u0026sup2;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.072\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.005\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;.005\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e6.15461\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab3\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 3\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegression ANOVA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSource\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003edf\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSig.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegression\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e57.844\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e19.281\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.509\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.676\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eResidual\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11,212.236\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e296\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e37.879\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e11,270.080\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e299\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab4\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 4\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eRegression Coefficients\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003ePredictor\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eB\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStd. Error\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBeta\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003et\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSig.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eConstant\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e43.946\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e1.502\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026mdash;\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e29.256\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.000***\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAge\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.344\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.390\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.051\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.883\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.378\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eHighest Qualification\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.336\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.418\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.047\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u0026ndash;0.803\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.423\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTeaching Experience\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.032\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.361\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.005\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.088\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.930\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec17\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eInterpretation\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe regression analysis indicated that \u003cb\u003eteachers\u0026rsquo; demographic factors (age, qualification, experience) did not significantly predict their attitudes toward ICT integration\u003c/b\u003e (p\u0026thinsp;\u0026gt;\u0026thinsp;.05). The model explained only 0.5% of the variance. This suggests that attitudes are shaped more by contextual and institutional factors than by personal demographics.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec18\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResearch Question 3:\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIs there a difference in perceived ICT integration barriers among teachers with different years of teaching experience?\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"gridtable\"\u003e\u003ctable float=\"Yes\" id=\"Tab5\" border=\"1\"\u003e\u003ccaption language=\"En\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionNumber\"\u003eTable 5\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"CaptionContent\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne-Way ANOVA\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/caption\u003e\u003ccolgroup cols=\"6\"\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c1\" colnum=\"1\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c2\" colnum=\"2\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c3\" colnum=\"3\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c4\" colnum=\"4\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"char\" char=\".\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c5\" colnum=\"5\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv align=\"left\" class=\"colspec\" colname=\"c6\" colnum=\"6\"\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cthead\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSource\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003edf\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eMS\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eF\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003cth align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eSig.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/th\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/thead\u003e\u003ctbody\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eBetween Groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e225.359\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e3\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.120\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e0.996\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e.395\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eWithin Groups\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22,318.307\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e296\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e75.400\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003ctr\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c1\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eTotal\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c2\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e22,543.667\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"char\" char=\".\" colname=\"c3\"\u003e\u003cp\u003e299\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c4\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c5\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003ctd align=\"left\" colname=\"c6\"\u003e\u0026nbsp;\u003c/td\u003e\u003c/tr\u003e\u003c/tbody\u003e\u003c/colgroup\u003e\u003c/table\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec19\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eInterpretation\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe ANOVA revealed no statistically significant differences in perceived ICT barriers across teaching experience groups (F(3,296)\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;0.996, p\u0026thinsp;=\u0026thinsp;.395). The means plot (Figure X) confirmed that barrier scores were relatively similar across groups, suggesting that infrastructural and systemic challenges are \u003cb\u003eexperienced uniformly\u003c/b\u003e, regardless of teaching experience.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Discussion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study examined teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes toward ICT integration in lesson delivery in basic schools within Ghana\u0026rsquo;s Central Region, with attention to demographic influences and perceived barriers. The findings provide useful insights into both the promise and the challenges of ICT integration at the basic school level.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec21\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTeachers\u0026rsquo; Attitudes Toward ICT Integration\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results revealed generally favourable attitudes among teachers, with most respondents agreeing that ICT improves lesson delivery, enhances student engagement, and makes teaching more efficient. These findings are consistent with earlier studies by (Buabeng-Andoh, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR3\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2012\u003c/span\u003e) and (Gyamfi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), who observed similarly positive perceptions among Ghanaian teachers. However, the high proportion of neutral responses in the present study suggests a level of uncertainty, reflecting limited opportunities for consistent ICT use in actual classroom practice. This echoes (Arkorful et al., \u003cspan citationid=\"CR2\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e), who noted that positive perceptions do not always translate into active integration, often due to contextual barriers.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec22\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDemographic and Professional Influences\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eContrary to expectations, demographic variables such as age, qualification, and teaching experience did not significantly predict teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes. This aligns with findings from (Gyamfi, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR7\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2017\u003c/span\u003e), who argued that with adequate training, demographic differences lose their explanatory power in ICT adoption. The results also support (Adarkwah, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR1\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2021\u003c/span\u003e) assertion that systemic and institutional factors play a greater role than individual teacher characteristics in shaping ICT practices. Thus, while demographic diversity exists among teachers, attitudes toward ICT integration appear to be largely uniform across groups.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec23\" class=\"Section3\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBarriers to ICT Integration\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePerceived barriers were reported consistently across all teaching experience groups, with no significant differences detected. This suggests that challenges such as limited infrastructure, unreliable electricity, insufficient training, and curriculum pressures are experienced broadly, irrespective of years of service. These findings reinforce earlier studies by (Natia and Al-hassan, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR11\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) and (Effah et al. \u003cspan citationid=\"CR6\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2023\u003c/span\u003e), who observed that infrastructural constraints cut across school contexts in Ghana. The uniformity of these barriers highlights the systemic nature of the challenges, underscoring the need for structural reforms rather than teacher-specific interventions.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec24\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eImplications\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTaken together, the results suggest that positive attitudes among teachers are not enough to guarantee successful ICT integration. While teachers are willing to embrace technology, their ability to do so effectively is curtailed by structural and institutional limitations. These findings support (UNESCO, \u003cspan citationid=\"CR15\" class=\"CitationRef\"\u003e2015\u003c/span\u003e) broader argument that ICT in education requires not only teacher readiness but also enabling conditions such as infrastructure, leadership, and policy support. In the Central Region, where disparities between urban and rural schools are evident, addressing systemic barriers is particularly critical to ensure equitable ICT adoption across contexts.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Conclusion","content":"\u003cp\u003eThis study investigated teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes toward ICT integration in lesson delivery in basic schools in Ghana\u0026rsquo;s Central Region. The findings revealed that teachers generally hold favourable attitudes toward ICT, recognising its potential to make lessons more engaging, improve student understanding, and enhance teaching efficiency. However, many teachers reported neutral positions on specific items, suggesting that positive perceptions are not always matched by practical application in the classroom.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe study further established that demographic and professional characteristics such as age, qualification, and teaching experience did not significantly influence teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes. This indicates that willingness to integrate ICT is broadly shared across teacher groups, reinforcing the argument that contextual and systemic conditions, rather than personal attributes, are the primary determinants of ICT use.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFinally, perceived barriers such as inadequate infrastructure, unreliable electricity, limited professional development, and curriculum constraints were experienced uniformly across teachers, regardless of teaching experience. These systemic challenges continue to limit the extent to which ICT can be meaningfully integrated into lesson delivery.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn conclusion, while teachers in the Central Region are open and positive toward ICT adoption, the success of integration efforts depends largely on addressing structural barriers. For ICT to become a transformative tool in basic education, investment in infrastructure, consistent teacher training, and stronger institutional support are essential.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec26\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eRecommendations\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are proposed for policymakers, educational authorities, and school leaders to enhance the integration of ICT in basic schools in the Central Region of Ghana:\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec27\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStrengthen ICT Infrastructure\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe government, through the Ministry of Education and the Ghana Education Service (GES), should prioritise the provision of reliable ICT infrastructure, including functional computer laboratories, internet access, and stable electricity supply, particularly in rural and peri-urban schools where deficits are greatest.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec28\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eExpand Continuous Professional Development\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTeacher training in ICT should move beyond short-term workshops to sustained, practice-oriented professional development. Colleges of Education and district training centres should provide regular in-service training focused on pedagogical, rather than purely technical, applications of ICT.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec29\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eEmbed ICT into Curriculum Delivery\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eCurriculum planners should integrate ICT use into subject-specific teaching strategies rather than treating it as an additional or stand-alone subject. This would help teachers view ICT as a core teaching tool rather than an extra burden.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eEnhance Technical and Administrative Support\u003c/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchools should establish ICT support systems, such as assigning ICT coordinators or technicians, to assist teachers with troubleshooting and integration challenges. Leadership at the school level should also encourage and incentivise ICT use in classrooms.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec31\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAddress Equity Gaps\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eEfforts should be made to reduce the disparity between urban and rural schools. Targeted interventions, such as prioritising rural schools in ICT resource allocation and infrastructure projects, are necessary to promote equity in access and usage.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv id=\"Sec32\" class=\"Section2\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eMonitor and Evaluate ICT Integration\u003c/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe GES should institute mechanisms for monitoring ICT integration in schools, including regular assessments of teachers\u0026rsquo; usage patterns, attitudes, and needs. Such evaluations will help inform ongoing policy and resource adjustments.\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"Abbreviations","content":"\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionList\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eANOVA\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eAnalysis of Variance\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGES\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGhana Education Service\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eGIFEC\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eGhana Investment Fund for Electronic Communications\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eICT\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eInformation and Communication Technology\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSPSS\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eStatistical Package for the Social Sciences\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"DefinitionListEntry\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Term\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eUNESCO\u003c/b\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"Description\"\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnited Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization\u003c/p\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e\u003c/div\u003e"},{"header":"References","content":"\u003col\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAdarkwah M (2021) I\u0026rsquo;m not against online teaching, but what about us? ICT in Ghana post-COVID-19. Educ Inform Technol 26:1665\u0026ndash;1685. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10320-z\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1007/s10639-020-10320-z\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eArkorful V, Barfi KA, Aboagye IK (2021) Integration of Information and Communication Technology in Teaching: Initial Perspectives of Senior High School Teachers in Ghana. Educ Inform Technol 26:3771\u0026ndash;3787. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10426-7\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1007/s10639-020-10426-7\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBuabeng-Andoh C (2012) Factors Influencing Teachers\u0026rsquo; Adoption and Integration of Information and Communication Technology into Teaching: A Review of the Literature. Int J Educ Dev Using Inform Communication Technol 8(1):136\u0026ndash;155\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eConstancio F (2024) The digital divide research in sub-Saharan education: Representations, localisation of elements, and theoretical implications. Policy Futures Educ. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1177/14782103241282373\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1177/14782103241282373\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCreswell JW, Poth CN (2018) Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design: Choosing Among Five Approaches, 4th edn. Sage\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEffah P, Ofosu-Asare Y, Agyemang K (2023) Developing Classroom ICT Teaching Techniques for Teachers in Rural Ghana Without Access to Computers or Internet: A Framework Based on Literature Review. Campus-Wide Inform Syst 41(3):262\u0026ndash;279. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1108/IJILT-04-2023-0045\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1108/IJILT-04-2023-0045\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGyamfi SA (2017) Pre-service teachers\u0026rsquo; attitude towards information and communication technology usage: A Ghanaian survey. Int J Educ Dev Using Inform Communication Technol 13(1):69\u0026ndash;85\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKrejcie RV, Morgan DW (1970) Determining Sample Size for Research Activities. Educ Psychol Meas 30(3):607\u0026ndash;610. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.1177/001316447003000308\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.1177/001316447003000308\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinistry of Education, G (2015) \u003cem\u003eICT in Education Policy\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/sites/planipolis/files/ressources/ghana_ict_in_education_policy_august_2015.pdf\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://planipolis.iiep.unesco.org/sites/planipolis/files/ressources/ghana_ict_in_education_policy_august_2015.pdf\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMukuni J (2019) Challenges of educational digital infrastructure in Africa: A tale of hope and disillusionment. J Afr Stud Dev 11(5):59\u0026ndash;63. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.5897/JASD2019.0539\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.5897/JASD2019.0539\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNatia JA, Al-hassan S (2015) Promoting Teaching and Learning in Ghanaian Basic Schools through ICT. Int J Educ Dev Using Inform Communication Technol 11(2):113\u0026ndash;125\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNunnally JC (1978) Psychometric Theory, 2nd edn. McGraw-Hill\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eService GE (2022) \u003cem\u003eGhana Education Sector Report\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.gipc.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ghanas-Education-Sector-Report.pdf\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.gipc.gov.gh/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Ghanas-Education-Sector-Report.pdf\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTorgbe V (2023) Examining the influence of teacher distribution, infrastructure development, and government funding on student educational attainment in rural Ghana. World J Adv Res Reviews 20(2):1531\u0026ndash;1543. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2023.20.2.2258\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"10.30574/wjarr.2023.20.2.2258\" targettype=\"DOI\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003eUNESCO (2015) \u003cem\u003eICT in Education: A Critical Enabler for Sustainable Development\u003c/em\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"ExternalRef\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"RefSource\"\u003ehttps://www.unesco.org/en/digital-competencies-skills/ict-cft\u003c/span\u003e\u003cspan address=\"https://www.unesco.org/en/digital-competencies-skills/ict-cft\" targettype=\"URL\" class=\"RefTarget\"\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/span\u003e\u003c/li\u003e\u003c/ol\u003e"}],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":true,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":false,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":false,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"ICT integration, teachers’ attitudes, basic schools, Central Region, Ghana, quantitative study","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7591080/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7591080/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis study investigated teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes toward the integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in lesson delivery in basic schools in the Central Region of Ghana. Despite increasing global advocacy for ICT in education, the extent to which basic school teachers adopt and use ICT tools remains uneven. A quantitative research design was employed, using a structured questionnaire administered to 300 teachers selected through stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), and the reliability of the instrument was confirmed with Cronbach\u0026rsquo;s alpha values above 0.90 across all sections.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe results revealed that teachers generally held positive attitudes toward ICT integration in teaching and learning, although their responses often reflected moderate neutrality. Further analysis showed that demographic and professional characteristics such as gender, age, teaching experience, and educational qualification did not significantly influence teachers\u0026rsquo; attitudes toward ICT use. However, several barriers particularly inadequate infrastructure, limited access to ICT resources, and lack of continuous professional training were consistently identified as challenges to effective ICT integration.\u003c/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe findings underscore the need for ongoing professional development programs, equitable resource distribution, and policy interventions to address contextual challenges faced by teachers. Strengthening ICT capacity in basic schools is critical to enhancing teaching quality and improving learning outcomes in Ghana.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"From Policy to Practice: Teachers’ Attitudes Toward Ict Integration in Ghanaian Basic Schools","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-09-12 09:46:59","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-7591080/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"3bcb24fc-21cd-4031-afad-f01248de929c","owner":[],"postedDate":"September 12th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[{"id":54618658,"name":"Educational Psychology"}],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-09-12T09:46:59+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-09-12 09:46:59","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-7591080","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-7591080","identity":"rs-7591080","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}

Text is read by the "Ask this paper" AI Q&A widget below. Extraction quality varies by source — PMC NXML preserves structure cleanly, OA-HTML may include some navigation residue, and OA-PDF can have broken hyphenation. The publisher copy (via DOI) is the canonical version.

My notes (saved in your browser only)

Ask this paper AI returns verbatim quotes from the full text · source: preprint-html

Answers must be backed by verbatim quotes from this paper's full text. Hallucinated quotes are dropped automatically; if no verbatim passage answers the question, we say so. How this works

Citation neighborhood (no data yet)

We don't have any in-corpus citations linked to this paper yet. This is a recent paper (2025) — citers typically take a year or two to land, and the OpenAlex reference graph may still be filling in.

Source provenance

europepmc
last seen: 2026-05-20T01:45:00.602351+00:00